It’s been a season to remember thus far for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Head Coach Kirk MacDonald’s Penguins currently sit with a 27-12-2-2 record, second-best in the Atlantic Division, as well as third-best in American Hockey League (AHL) standings.
The Penguins have been able to find success in almost every facet of their game this season. However, their National Hockey League (NHL) affiliate Pittsburgh Penguins and East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) affiliate Wheeling Nailers have too. This has led to a number of call-ups, reassignments and trades involving Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Penguins legends Sam Poulin and Valtteri Puustinen were both traded within the last two months. They were the longest serving players on the current roster, as they both made their debuts in 2021.
Both ranked highly on the all-time scoring lists for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, with Puustinen finishing his Penguins career fourth all time in points while suited up for the Black and Gold.
There have been a number of other moves too involving top-scoring forwards Danton Heinen and Phil Tomasino, who were traded to Columbus and Philadelphia, respectively. Both had very productive, but reletively short stints with the Penguins, and were a big factor for their success in the first half of 2025-26.
But the normal faces have done their jobs to the surprise of no one. Avery Hayes, Rutger McGroarty, Tristan Broz and Avery Hayes have all contributed in big ways this season. All but Hayes have been in the NHL at points this season as well for Pittsburgh. For Broz, he’s set to represent Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL All Star Classic.
However, Broz is out of the lineup after suffering an injury, and his status for the time being is unknown. After Broz’s injury, the center-core is thin, but players such as Gabe Klassen and Atley Calvert have remained steady in the faceoff dot and in general as well.
Despite the number of trades involving the team, as well as a gluttony of injuries here in 2025-26, the Penguins have remained for the most part, steady. A big part of their game this season has been their solid defensive core.
Possibly the deepest core of the team, the Penguins defense has been led in large part by their young guns, Chase Pietila, Owen Pickering and Finn Harding. Veterans Alex Alexyev, Sebastian Aho, and captain Phil Kemp have been solid all season when they’re in the lineup. However, like their forwards, the Penguins defense has been no stranger to the injury bug.
On the goaltending side, it’s been the Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist show this season. Murashov, already has shown Pittsburgh what he’s made of, playing in a number of games already this season for the big club. Blomqvist has NHL experience as well, playing the majority of his 2024-25 season in Pittsburgh.
For both this season though, they rank near the top in all goaltending categories. Murashov and Blomqvist have been exactly as advertised, and are proving quickly that they have bright futures. For Murashov, he’s set to represent the Penguins in the AHL All Star Classic next month alongside Broz.
Returning to the ice this Saturday, Jan. 31, the Penguins will look to get back into first place in the Atlantic Division with a matchup against Syracuse. Puck drop against the Crunch is set for 6:05 p.m. from Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza.
